Prahlada Muni Samvada (प्रह्लादमुन्योः संवादः)

Prahlada Muni Samvada (Samskrit: प्रह्लादमुन्योः संवादः) is a conversation between Raja Prahlada and a sage enumerated in the Bhagavata Purana (Skandda 7, Adhyaya 13). It talks about the Ajagara mode of life.

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

In the 7th Skandha of the Bhagavata Purana, Shri Shuka enumerates a dialogue between Maharshi Narada and Maharaja Yudhisthira to Raja Parikshit. Here, Shri Narada Muni has been describing the symptoms of various ashramas and varnas. In this context, in the 13th adhyaya, he specifically describes the regulative principles to be followed by sannyasis. He says that when a sannyasi becomes completely independent, peaceful and equipoised, he can select the destination he desires after death and follow the principles by which to reach that destination. He mentions therein that although fully learned, he should always remain silent, like a dumb person, and travel like a restless child.

This he explains by describing a meeting between Raja Prahlada and a sage who had adopted the mode of life of a python (or ajagara). And thus, brings forth the symptoms of a paramahamsa.

Paramahamsa Lakshana (परमहंसलक्षणम्)

Through Prahlada Muni Samvada, Sage Narada explains that a person who has attained the paramahamsa stage knows very well the distinction between matter and spirit. He is not at all interested in gratifying the material senses, for he is always deriving pleasure from devotional service to the Lord. He is not very anxious to protect his material body. Being satisfied with whatever he attains by the grace of the Lord, he is completely independent of material happiness and distress, and thus he is transcendental to all regulative principles. Sometimes he accepts severe austerities, and sometimes he accepts material opulence. He is never to be equated with materialistic men, nor is he subject to the judgments of such men.